Once again, Luca Perasi has written another fine book about an album from the Paul McCartney album catalog with Wings London Town. With his superb research skills, I have made it a happy routine and necessity to acquire all of Luca’s books for my book collection!
If you have not read a Luca Perasi book before, now would be an appropriate time to explore the man’s talents!
LONDON TOWN- A Wings album that McCartney collectors have yearned for a boxed-set archive set to be issued! I concur with that wish as the material on this album should be given its proper recognition!
Back cover of the book: containing a synopsis of the title!
AMAZON UK DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:
“Released in March 1978, London Town is an interesting turning point along Wings’ musical trajectory, even though the album was the outcome of a rather complicated situation, which resulted in the group’s line-up crumbling and downsizing to a trio, as happened for Band on the Run. Although not as successful as the earlier album, it remains one of the most charming episodes, if not entirely consistent, within the group’s discography.
Within a musical scene dominated by punk and disco music, London Town is imbued by many influences that reinforced McCartney’s own identity and artistic style. Beside its folk-acoustic flavour – the result of the songwriting collaboration between Paul and Denny Laine – the album features a modern touch with the use of synthesizers which prove that McCartney’s interest in electronic music was alive way before McCartney II. The use of sound effects (seagulls, Morse code signals, studio chatter, laughter and sneers) helps bringing the music to life and adds a filmic quality to the whole album and to its almost impressionistic approach.
The decision to record part of London Town on a boat amid the Virgin Islands, meant that McCartney prioritised feeling over anything else for his music. This form of isolation, which had never been tried before by Wings, created a relaxed atmosphere that contributed a variety of sounds, flavours and moods that perfectly illustrate why this album remains so popular among fans.
Enriched by images and photos, the volume London Town, The Story of an Adventurous Album tells of one of McCartney’s most brilliant, although eccentric, records. In its detailed account of the album’s creation and analysis of its songs, based on contemporary sources and in-depth interviews by the author with assistant engineers Tim Summerhayes (“Mull of Kintyre”) and Tom Anderson (who helped Geoff Emerick on the Fair Carol boat) or arrangers Wil Malone and Mick Vickers, the book walks readers through various aspects of the album, from the technical side (the recording equipment used in the Caribbean, the instrumentation) to McCartney’s skills for arranging and producing music, with his usual strokes of genius scattered throughout.
The volume covers the timeline of the sessions, the stories behind the songs of the album, material from the period (the many McCartney demos including the legendary “Waterspout”, the single “Mull of Kintyre” / “Girls’ School”), their harmonic and rhythmic inventions, the lyrics’ analysis, the commercial success, the promotional strategy, the critical reception. The departures of Wings’ members Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English are also explored, as well as Denny Laine’s project Holly Days.
Innocent and sinister, elegant and grotesque, dreamlike and sullen, catchy and inconsequential, romantic and salacious; ladies and gentlemen, London Town. A fascinating insight into the most “atmospheric” album by Wings.”
AMAZON US:
AMAZON UK:
A signed book plate edition of the book from the author. This was acquired from another well-known collector, Edward Eikelenboom. Since there were only 25 signed copies of the book issued, I was very grateful for Edward’s efforts on my behalf to secure the last numbered copy!
The book’s Table of Contents summarizes the main topics covered:
Other Luca Perasi book titles: An impressive catalog, Luca!
Strongly encourage you to check out the rest of Luca Perasi’s literary catalog! You will be very pleased and well-informed as a result!
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
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Songs We Were Singing
Take A “Magical Mystery Tour” through the Beatles’ Deep Tracks. The Beatles’ music has become so ingrained in our culture that their songs have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Who doesn’t know the words to “Hey Jude” or “Let It Be”? Who hasn’t been moved by the poetry of “Eleanor Rigby” or energized by that opening chord of “A Hard Day’s Night”?
